6S Foundation
6S Foundation is a private foundation, based in Westcliffe, CO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $1.1M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 4 grants totaling $185K. Net investment income was $146K.
6S Foundation at a glance
In short: 6S Foundation gave $185K across 4 grants in 2026 (avg $46K), mostly in Colorado. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $185,000
- -5.1% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 4
- +33.3% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $46,250
- -28.8% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $35,000
- Total assets
- $1,109,373
- -3.9% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Colorado (78% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated September 2026.
Who 6S Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation ($105K). Together the top 4 received $185K.
Grant Size Distribution
24 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 24 (71%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How 6S Foundation gives
- Giving grew 52% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 224% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $99K (2020) to $307K (2022). In 2026 it made 4 grants totaling $185K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation Westcliffe, CO | To provide support to the community based on programs and services. | $105,000 |
| School Sisters of Notre Dame Norridge, IL | To assist in sharing in christ's mission to proclaim the good news of god's reign. | $40,000 |
| The Pines Ranch Westcliffe, CO | To conserve and cultivate the 130-year history of the historic pines ranch and to maintain its integrity by safeguarding its environment, by keeping the ranch property intact, and by using the property for its historic purpose of rest and healing. | $30,000 |
| Colorado Open Lands Lakewood, CO | To preserve the significant open lands and diminishing natural heritage of Colorado. | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1,109,373 | $157,025 | $202,244 | $185,000 | 4 | $190,874 | $146,331 | $85,394 |
| 2025 | $1,154,592 | $84,906 | $212,162 | $195,000 | 3 | $201,072 | $73,816 | $88,570 |
| 2024 | $1,281,848 | $50,119 | $136,052 | $119,000 | 5 | $124,730 | $38,797 | $89,806 |
| 2023 | $1,367,781 | $59,398 | $142,226 | $122,000 | 4 | $127,684 | $48,261 | $89,428 |
| 2022 | $1,450,609 | $197,194 | $326,163 | $307,000 | 8 | $312,741 | $184,529 | $104,680 |
| 2021 | $1,579,837 | $139,421 | $290,526 | $267,500 | 8 | — | $126,367 | $107,241 |
| 2020 | $1,730,942 | $150,133 | $117,793 | $99,000 | 5 | — | $136,873 | $103,687 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, 6S Foundation reported a distributable amount of $85K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
6S Foundation is led by Richard C. Stermer, President, Director & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Richard C. Stermer
President, Director & Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Audrey M. Stermer
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katharine E. Schulze
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa A. Freeseman
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patricia M. Dunn
Secretary, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about 6S Foundation
How much does 6S Foundation give each year?
6S Foundation gave $185K across 4 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $195K across 3 grants.
What is 6S Foundation's typical grant size?
6S Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $35,000, and its average grant was $46,250, across 4 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does 6S Foundation give grants?
6S Foundation gives mostly in Colorado: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Westcliffe, CO (2 grants).
Does 6S Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on 6S Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is 6S Foundation?
6S Foundation reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $191K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $85K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is 6S Foundation's EIN?
6S Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-1457491. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in 6S Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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